Christmas is a time to give, a time to spend with family, and a time to take a moment and reflect on what's important to you.
It's the little things that count at Christmastime – like when your neighbour shovels your walkway, or when an acquaintance brings you homemade baking or delivers a card.
My favourite part of Christmas is on Christmas Day when my loved ones open the gifts I gave them. That moment of seeing their reaction after putting so much thought and effort into getting them the perfect gift is wonderful.
Spending time with my family, my boyfriend, his family, and of course my guinea pig, five cats and two dogs, while relaxing in comfy pyjamas and oversized slippers, is what makes Christmas.
I asked random Sundre residents what their favourite thing about Christmas is.
Here is what I found out:
Anne-Marie Wolfe said she used to enjoy baking with her mother on Christmas Eve – a tradition up until a few years ago. Together they would bake cookies and walnut strudels and apple strudels.
“We used to decorate the tree on Christmas Eve too. We did a lot of stuff on Christmas Eve, the old classic carols. It was a lot of fun. I miss that. That's something that I reminisce about,” said Wolfe.
Rob McBride said he used to enjoy watching his children Matthew and Megan open up gifts on Christmas Day when they were younger. They are now 18 and 20.
“When my kids were really young – four and six – just watching them on Christmas morning get up and open gifts and be excited,” said McBride.
Melanie Sandiego said her favourite part is eating Filipino food.
Rhondy Tilley said she enjoys having her family together on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including her two adult children and their families.
Nine-year-old Samantha Turner said her favourite Christmas memory was when she went to her aunt Verna's house on Christmas Eve and was able to open an early present.
“My favourite thing about Christmas is having family get together,” said Turner.
Tanner Grunau said he enjoys sitting by the fire, opening presents by the Christmas tree and watching the sun rise.
“I love seeing the looks on my children's faces when they first see our tree on Christmas morning,” said Jenna Grant.
“I also love baking all my kids' and husband's favourite treats.”
Jaqcui Padington said her favourite Christmas tradition is opening a pair of new pyjamas on Christmas Eve and cuddling up on the couch to watch a Christmas movie.
“In the morning we can't touch anything until everyone is up, then we go wild!” said Padington.
They have a seafood dinner rather than a traditional Christmas dinner, including crab, lobster, mussels, shrimp and scallops.
“Spending the entire day playing with the new things we have and just time together with the family.”
Rhonda Jordan said she and her husband Tony enjoy having their three adult children and three small granddaughters gather at their house on Christmas Eve through Christmas Day.
“I feel so blessed to have them here, laughing and catching up on our lives,” said Jordan.
“After the morning prayer, with the tree lights twinkling, we open presents and enjoy each other's company. It's always such a treat to have us all together.”
Raeanna Sam said her favourite Christmas memory is when she went snowmobiling with her father in Kelowna, B.C.
“We would be gone for hours sledding up the mountain slopes and then we would come home to hot chocolate with marshmallows and a crackling fire outside,” said Sam.
“We got to roast marshmallows and hotdogs and sing Christmas carols.”
Dayle Raymond said opening a new pair of pyjamas on Christmas Eve was always the best part of Christmas growing up.
“We all had fresh clean pyjamas for the Christmas pictures,” said Raymond.
“It's a tradition we all carry on with our kids today.”
Merry Christmas Sundre!
